BEES are buzzing and trees are flowering across the Robinvale region as almond orchards begin to bloom.
More than 277,000 bee hives are being transported by beekeepers to the region from across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Bees are needed to carry pollen from flower to flower on almond trees because they aren’t wind-pollinated easily, so bees are required to pollinate and produce nuts efficiently.
Bannerton resident Jade Benham said there were more than 8000 beehives on her farm for pollination.
“At approximately 30,000 bees per hive, that’s a lot of bees,” she said.
“So not only is it the biggest blossom explosion in the Southern Hemisphere, the 277,000 bee hives that are required throughout the region over August also make up the biggest livestock migration in Australia.
“The buzz is real, the hay fever is real but so is the incredible benefit the almond industry brings to this part of the world.”
Mallee bee broker Trevor Monson said more than 130,000 hives have arrived into the district.
“We were very, very worried early on with the drought, then the fires and then the floods – and the condition of bees was very poor from smoke and heat damage,” he said.
“But then it all turned around; it rained in Queensland, and Western New South Wales and all of the weeds that have little flowers on them jumped out of the ground.”
Central Victorian beekeeper Peter McDonald praised the annual event and its contribution to the sustainability of beekeeping professions.
“The almond pollination season has become one of the most important times of the year for the bee industry,” he said.
“The number of bees are carefully matched to available pollen in the orchard, ensuring no bee goes hungry.”
This year also marked the beginning of Almond Board of Australia’s partnership with Bee Friendly Farming Australia, showcasing the commitment to help protect, preserve and promote the little pollinators’ health.
Almond Board of Australia market development manager Joseph Ebbage said the practices had been developed to ensure they’re as bee friendly as possible.
“Bees are crucial to the almond blossom season because without the bees, there would be no Australian almonds,” he said.
“It’s a beautifully symbiotic relationship which is beautiful to see.
“Come August the almond trees burst into blooms and remind us why bees are so important to the eco system.
“This annual pollination steadily helps increase the number of bees and ensures the viability of beekeepers across Australia.”
Mr McDonald said the bees got “every excited when they get to the almonds, it’s like the Garden of Eden for them”.
